Would you use skin cream (E45) which is 3 months past its expiry date?

[skincaretribulations]

I've got dry, flaky skin on my face, particularly around my forehead and eyebrows. There's a tub of E45 in the house which I haven't used for a long time. It has an expiry date of December 2025. Is there a good reason not to use it even though it's expired? It seems like a waste to throw it away, but I assume the expiry date is there for a reason.

If it looked and smelled normal I might use it seeing as it's only 3 months past the date.

It could be less effective and possibly irritate the skin, that's why the date is there.

I would use it if it smells ok.

If it's a partially used tub I would worry about bacteria from people sticking hands in it, especially if it's been around for a long time, and if you're using it on already irritated skin. I'd chuck it and start fresh.

I’d be using it for a few years yet.

Yes..wouldn’t evèn think not to

Yes. No qualms!

Definitely.

We've probably got cream thats 3 years past the date let alone 3 months.

The reason for the expiry date will probably be 10% due to the effect of people sticking dirty hands in and 90% about arse covering and a hope that it will encourage you to throw it away and buy more.

I don't know I've ever looked at an expiry date on cream! Yes, I would definitely use, unless as pps say it smells or looks weird.

It might have separated. If not, it’s ok.

Having never looked at the expiry date on creams or lotions, it’s a yes from me.

I occasionally get eczema,first dermatologist 17 years ago told me that both E45 and aquas cream were useless and could make it worse. I use Epaderm, it's a huge pump,so no cross contamination. It's around £12 in Boots, and lasts me a year.

Have used sudocrem that was bought for youngest who is now in his thirties, no problems at all
use it OP it’s fine

OP, I’ve previously suffered on a number of occasions with something that sounds just like what you have: dry flaky skin around the eyebrows (I also had it around my nose). Moisturisers did nothing. It turned out to be about:blank Seborrheic dermatitis, which i believe is a type of fungal infection that lives in your hair. That’s why it tends to affect the upper part of the face (the spores trickle down on to your face, for instance in the shower).

the treatment is relatively easy there’s a shampoo which you use on your hair, which i think you can get over the counter. Please give it a try!

I sometimes get dry skin in the same spots as you and have read that using dandruff shampoo as a face wash can help. I've tried it a couple of times and saw a reduction in flakiness. If you try, just be careful - I'm not a dermatologist so don't know the risks or whether this is good practice but I personally found it helpful. If anyone knows more about it, please do share!

I have creams that are well over 3 years old ! Some smell iffy after a while, they get binned. Otherwise I just use my nouse!

Any advance on 3 decades?

For a product that's only three months past its date and has been stored properly the main concerns are preservative efficacy degrading over time and some of the active emollient ingredients oxidizing, so if it smells normal, looks unchanged, and hasn't separated or changed texture it is probably still fine to use, but given that you have flaky irritated skin around your forehead and eyebrows which could indicate a compromised barrier it might be worth getting a fresh tube just to avoid applying anything with potentially degraded preservation to already sensitive skin.

I wouldn't have even looked at the date. Some creams might be slightly less effective, but not even noticeably

A much better explanation.

but you've got nothing to lose by trying what you already have first & if you end up buying a replacement I'd definitely try one of the other suggestions.

I’ve used it 3 years out of date… I find it normally stings my dry skin when in date, but the old bottle I used didn’t so I assume it was just less effective than normal. No issues with it though

Daisydoesnt, I had the same and was told to use baby shampoo,on face and eyebrows.

not yet but give me the time…

Moisturising creams have dates on them?! Mind blown.

I wouldn't use it as I avoid products with petrochemicals, but crack on over it being out of date.

The reason they have dates is because that’s when tests have shown the preservatives/ added ingredients that prevent the growth of bacteria, mould etc lose their efficacy.
It’s up to you if you want to apply that to damaged skin. I wouldn’t personally.
I also wouldn’t bother asking on here. You will just get loads of responses saying If it looks and smells okay….same as food hygiene questions. Things can absolutely look and smell fine and contain harmful bacteria. It doesn’t really mean anything. Another one is I do it all the time and I haven’t died yet…